Dao Chi Cheng Qi Tang
Star导赤承气汤 (Guide Out the Red and Order the Qi Decoction)
Source: Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798)
Last updated October 1, 2026
Description
Dao Chi Cheng Qi Tang (Guide Out the Red and Order the Qi Decoction), from Systematic Differentiation of Warm Pathogen Diseases (1798).
Associated formula of Da Cheng Qi Tang.
Usage: Yang brightness warm pathogen disease unresolved by purging, with heat transmitted to the Small Intestine and Bladder: fever, irritability, thirst, abdominal fullness, constipation, scanty dark or red burning urination, dry yellow coating, submerged rapid pulse wiry and strong at the left distal position.
Category: Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation.
Source: Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies, 2nd ed. Eastland Press, 2009, p. 68.
Composition
| Herb | Amount | % | Role | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chi Shao
as printed: Paeoniae Radix rubra (chi shao) 9g
|
9g | 18.75% | — | |
|
Sheng Di Huang
as printed: Rehmanniae Radix (sheng di huang) 15g
|
15g | 31.25% | — | |
|
Da Huang
as printed: Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (da huang) 9g
|
9g | 18.75% | — | |
|
Huang Lian
as printed: Coptidis Rhizoma (huang lian) 6g
|
6g | 12.5% | — | |
|
Huang Bai
as printed: Phellodendri Cortex (huang bai) 6g
|
6g | 12.5% | — | |
|
Mang Xiao
as printed: Natrii Sulfas (mang xiao) 3g
|
3g | 6.25% | — |
Energetics dose-weighted
The formula's overall nature, taste balance and channel reach, weighted by each herb's dose. Classical formulas often pair warm and cool herbs on purpose, so a net figure summarises the mix — it doesn't describe every herb in it.
Nature
Net cold (-1.81)
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Grams by band: cold 81%, cool 19%.
Small but decisive: Mang Xiao 3g (cold, 6% of the grams). Dose weighting nearly cancels a herb this small, but it may be what the formula is for.
Taste
- sweet 16%
- sour 9%
- bitter 72%
- salty 3%
From 100% of the weighed grams.
Channels reached
- Liver 81%
- Large intestine 50%
- Heart 44%
- Kidney 44%
- Stomach 38%
- Spleen 31%
Share of the grams entering each channel, from 100% of the weighed grams.
Dose-weighted from each herb's recorded nature, taste and channels (missing values are left out, never counted as neutral). It describes the composition — it is not a recommendation.
Preparation
Decoct in 5 cups water to 2; drink 1 cup, the second only if the bowels do not open.
Relationships
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Formula family
Each entry reads as the larger formula written out: “+” adds its other catalogue cores, then the herbs none of them hold. A catalogue formula counts as a core only when at least 80% of its herbs are present, no more than 1 is absent, and the absent herb is not its chief.
Formula Network
Formulas that share herbs with this one — the closer to the centre, the stronger the match. Click a node to explore.
Similar Formulas by composition
Match score combines dosage-weighted composition (cosine, 70%) with shared-herb overlap (Jaccard, 30%).
Traditional formula information is for educational purposes only. Herbal formulas should be prescribed by a qualified practitioner — dosages and combinations are individualized and can interact with medications.
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